Representative = Represent

A quick word, Valley County Voter. I know I am in the minority party here. I accept that my representative will not vote my ideals. However, I do expect our representatives to listen to their constituents and to aubject matter experts.

Tonight (Wednesday, Feb. 27) a voter from across the aisle reached out to me to express dismay at Casey Knudsen's committee yes votes on three anti-vaccination bills today. This voter also expressed frustration that Rep. Knudsen was blowing off his constituents' input in light of his own views. Of note, Rep. Knudsen is not a doctor nor a pharmacist, to my knowledge, and is voting against voters' wishes as well as expert testimony on the subject.

The following three bills will likely be before the full house floor on second reading tomorrow afternoon.

HB574 (Manzella) - removes foster home vaccine requirements : https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2019/billpdf/HB0574.pdf

HB 575 (Manzella) - removes daycare vaccine requirements: https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2019/billpdf/HB0575.pdf

HB 564 (Dunn) - expands religious exemptions and allows non physicians to write medical exemptions: https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2019/billpdf/HB0564.pdf

Please do consider contacting our representatives to tell them to vote no on these bills. The health of our community and state depends in part on raising a new healthy generation to continue on the proud traditions of Glasgow and Valley County. Healthy children should be a nonpartisan issue for all of us.

Further, calling our representatives is a way to remind them that they do, in fact, work for us, the voters. And that their continued employment depends on being reelected. Dismissing the views of those who put them in to office is unacceptable.

(1) Urge Rep Casey Knudsen to urge him to change his position and VOTE NO on HB564, 574, and 575 the floor tomorrow!!

Email: [email protected]

Cell Phone: 406.390.0274

Legislative Memo: 406.444.4800 (the clerk will deliver your comments to your representative on the floor on a yellow comment card)

(2) Urge HD 34 Representative Rhonda Knudsen who represents Eastern Valley County and urge her to also VOTE NO on HB564, 574, and 575 on the floor tomorrow.

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 406.489.5253

Legislative Memo: 406.444.4800 (the clerk will deliver your comments to your representative on the floor on a yellow comment card)

(3) Urge HD31 Representative Bridget Smith who represents Southern Valley County and urge her to also VOTE NO on HB564, 574, and 575 on the floor tomorrow.

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 406.230.2268

Legislative Memo: 406.444.4800 (the clerk will deliver your comments to your representative on the floor on a yellow comment card)

Your voice is just as important as your vote. Let it be heard.